With a 14-point lead among women and a 91-point lead among blacks, Democrat Sen. Barack
Obama leads Republican Sen. John McCain 49 - 45 percent among likely voters nationwide,
according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today.

This compares to a 47 - 42 percent Sen. Obama lead in an August 19 poll by the
independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.

In this latest survey, 51 percent of voters say Sen. McCain's proposed tax cut will benefit
the rich, while 9 percent say it will help the middle class and 1 percent say it will help the poor.

Obama's tax cut plan will help the rich 9 percent say, while 33 percent say it will help the
middle class and 22 percent say it will help the poor.

"Sen. Obama is right back where he was before the so-called convention bounces with a
four-point lead. The Democratic discombobulation after the selection of Gov. Palin as GOP
running mate seems to be steadying. Women, black voters and young people favor Obama. Men,
white voters and Evangelical Protestants pick Sen. McCain," said Maurice Carroll, director of the
Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"But bringing Clinton voters aboard remains a problem for Obama. One in four who
voted for Sen. Hillary Clinton in the primaries say they're for McCain now," Carroll added.

"Obama wins the perception war on taxes. About half think McCain's tax plan would
favor the rich. More than one half say Obama's tax plan favors the middle class and the poor."

Seventy-eight percent of voters say they are "entirely comfortable" with an African-
American president, while 12 percent are "somewhat comfortable."

Only 37 percent of voters are "entirely comfortable" with a 72-year-old president, while 23
percent are "somewhat comfortable."

And 77 percent say they are "entirely comfortable" with a woman vice president, with 14
percent who are "somewhat comfortable."

The economy is the most important issue in their vote, 47 percent say, as 15 percent list the
war in Iraq; 11 percent cite terrorism; 9 percent say energy and 8 percent list health care.

The media favors the Obama-Biden Democratic ticket, 34 percent of voters, including 67
percent of Republicans, say. Only 14 percent of all voters, including 23 percent of Democrats, say
the media favors the McCain-Palin Republican ticket. But 49 percent of all voters, including 64
percent of Democrats and 29 percent of Republicans, say the media treats both parties equally.

"Those complaints against the news media at the Republican Convention are echoed
among the rank and file. Two thirds of Republicans think news coverage has tilted toward
Obama and Biden," Carroll said.

From September 11 -16, Quinnipiac University surveyed 987 likely voters nationwide,
with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and
nationwide as a public service and for research.
For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.

1. If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were
Barack Obama the Democrat and John McCain the Republican, for whom would you vote?
(If undecided q1) As of today, do you lean more toward Obama or McCain?
This table includes "Leaners".

TREND: If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates
were Barack Obama the Democrat and John McCain the Republican, for whom would
you vote? (If undecided) As of today, do you lean more toward Obama or McCain?
This table includes "Leaners".

6. If you honestly assessed yourself, thinking in general about - an African-
American president of the United States, is that something you'd be entirely
comfortable with, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or entirely
uncomfortable with?

TREND: If you honestly assessed yourself, thinking in general about an African-
American president of the United States, is that something you'd be entirely
comfortable with, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or entirely
uncomfortable with?

7. If you honestly assessed yourself, thinking in general about - someone
entering office as president of the United States at age 72, is that something
you'd be entirely comfortable with, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable
or entirely uncomfortable with?

TREND: If you honestly assessed yourself, thinking in general about someone
entering office as president of the United States at age 72, is that something
you'd be entirely comfortable with, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable
or entirely uncomfortable with?

8. If you honestly assessed yourself, thinking in general about - a woman vice-
president of the United States, is that something you'd be entirely comfortable
with, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or entirely uncomfortable
with?

14. Regardless of how you intend to vote, what would you prefer the next president
do about the war in Iraq?
A) Begin immediately a withdrawal of American troops, with a fixed date to have
them all out within 18 months. OR
B) Keep troops in Iraq until the situation is more stable, and then begin to
withdraw them, without a fixed date for full withdrawal.

TREND: Regardless of how you intend to vote, what would you prefer the next
president to do about the war in Iraq?
A) Begin immediately a withdrawal of American troops with a fixed date to have
them all out within 18 months OR
B) Keep troops in Iraq until the situation is more stable and then begin to
withdraw them without a fixed date for full withdrawal.